Soon the dust will settle under a fresh dumping of rain, and we will all be happy mountain bikers, hikers and leaf peepers. But then those pesky and lovely children who reside in our mountain homes will look out the window at the steady rain coming down and say, “I’m bored! What are we going to do?” And you, being the brilliant parent you are, know the answer: The Truckee KidZone.
The KidZone Museum is located at 11711 Donner Pass Road. It’s the large white dome between Truckee High School and the Fire Station. At the Museum you will find a hands on museum and a place for young children to play. There is an outdoor nature play center, an Art Studio, indoor play structure and a Scientastic lab where kids can join in on weekly hands-on science activities. A highlight of the KidZone is the Take Flight Tahoe hands-n play exhibit, which comes complete with a plane, from which kids can communicate with the control tower. Once they are finished flying they can go fix stuff in the airplane hanger, before retiring to the hotel and café they will visit while traveling.
All the Museum exhibits are created with the same philosophy in mind, learning through play. Kids have fun, work off excess energy, and learn along the way. In fact, perhaps they will have such a good time at the KidZone, they will want to go there on a sunny day.
Summer hours are Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Starting October 15th, winter hours go into effect: Tuesday-Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. KidZone Museum is also available for parties when closed to the public. Information is available at http://www.kidzonemuseum.org/ or (530) 587-5437.
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The community of Tahoe Donner is located on over 7000 acres of land, with 6500 homes and 25,000 members. It has a downhill and cross-country ski area, golf course, several restaurants, fitness center, swimming pool, tennis courts, sledding hill, and thousands of acres of open space for hiking and mountain biking, including a connection to the Donner Lake Rim Trail. How did this immense development, one of the largest in the country, come to be just a few miles outside of little old Truckee, California? It all started with Jack Kirby.
In his 2006 book, “Jack Kirby: Autobiography of a California entrepreneur,” Kirby talks about selling newspapers as a kid before becoming a pilot for the Navy during World War II. After the war he became a football star for USC before going on to play in the National Football League. After his career in the NFL, Kirby purchased 4000 acres of land north of Truckee in 1968.
Although the land which would become Tahoe Donner had recently been the victim of a major forest fire, Kirby was impressed by it’s potential for development. He thought it was rare to find this large a parcel of land in the middle of the beauty of the Sierra that had gentle enough contours to create a development. Kirby also purchased a five acre parcel on the shore of Donner Lake, which could be used to provide access to the lake for Tahoe Donner homeowners. He hired a ski development expert to determine if a ski area could be built on the burned out slopes of the current ski hill, and by 1971 people began buying Tahoe Donner lots for $8000. Kirby said, “I figured if I could develop a resort that was completely different-that offered something to homebuyers, second homeowners and retired people-it would be saleable.”
Looking towards Tahoe Donner ski hill
After developing Tahoe Donner, Kirby went on to develop the Alta Sierra community near Grass Valley, before turning his entrepreneurial mind to the manufacture of golf clubs. In 2006, he told the Sierra Sun about Tahoe Donner that he was “very proud of what we’ve done here. I think it’s turned out to be a great community development.”
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Spring is upon us in the mountains (or what passes for spring here), which means this may be one of the last opportunities this year to go for a moonlight snowshoe. If you have never done this before, it is one of those beyond words experiences to remember! Should the sky be clear, the moon lights up the snow as if from a fairytale dream, negating the necessity of flashlights. (But bring one just in case).
If you prefer your athletic endeavors in the daylight, there are also many day snowshoe events as well.
Dress warm, pack a hot beverage of your choice, and keep your nose to the wind for the smell of ‘s’mores‘ wafting in the air. Always a good time.
Here are some local areas that are offering snowshoe tours this month.
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Moonlight on Squaw Valley. For more events at Squaw Valley, visit their website on the link below.
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http://www.squaw.com/things-to-do/events-calendar/guided-moonight-snowshoe-tours
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Guided Moonlight Snowshoe Tours – Squaw Valley
Explore Squaw Valley under a full winter moon. As the moon lights the way our experienced guides will lead you on a snowshoe tour along Siberia Ridge. Lake Tahoe glows under the winter moonlight and you feel like you are on top of the world. Fun for all ages, cost includes snowshoe rentals (you must supply your own poles if needed). Dress appropriately and wear sturdy winter boots.
For reservations – call 800-403-0206
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MARCH 22-23
Snowshoe Social & Race Series – Northstar at Tahoe
Join us for the Northstar Snowshoe Social & Race Series taking place December 22 (USSSA National Championships Qualifier), January 27 (Tahoe Rim Tour & Race), and March 23 (Truckee Tahoe Humane Society Fundraiser). The December and March races will feature a 5k, 10k and kid’s races while the January race, in conjunction with the Tahoe Rim Tour & Race, will be a point-to-point 21K snowshoe from the North Tahoe High School to the Northstar Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center. The third race will be a fundraiser for the Truckee Tahoe Humane Society and we will allow dogs on the cross country trails that day only. There will be fun for all ages at the finish of each race. During the December and March race dates we’ll have live music at the finish along with snacks, beers and sodas, 10k awards and a raffle for all. During the January race there will be a chili lunch, awards and a raffle. For more info:
http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info/ski/snowshoe_social_race_series.asp
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MARCH 23
Winter Wildlife snowshoe – Mount Rose Tahoe Rime Trail Association and Tahoe Institute for Natural Science host a Winter Wildlife Survival Snowshoe at Tahoe Meadows at 10am. Enjoy a snowshoe trek and learn about winter ecology and survival strategies of wildlife. For the entire family. Moderate, 2-3 miles. Bring equipment and dress appropriately.
Register at http://tahoerimtrail.org/
Sunset Snowshoe – Area Venue
Tahoe Adventure Company hosts a Sunset Snowshoe every Saturday through April featuring natural history discussions, hot drinks and snacks. No experience necessary. $65, includes equipment. Reservations (530) 913-9212
Full Moon Snowshoe – Tahoma
West Shore Sports hosts a Full Moon Snowshoe at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Benefits Sierra State Parks Foundation. $20, ($5 kids), includes snowshoes and parking. Reservations (530) 525-9920
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MARCH 24
Snowshoe Hike – East Shore
Tahoe Rim Trail Association hosts a snowshoe hike to Marlette Lake. 7-10 miles, difficult. Bring equipment, dress appropriately and bring water and food. Free. Register at http://tahoerimtrail.org/
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MARCH 26
55+ snowshoe – Incline Village
IVGID hosts a snowshoe and lunch for 55+ with a light to moderate hike to various locations at 10 a.m. After, enjoy a buffet lunch at Sierra Nevada College. $16, $13 with IVGID pass, includes transportation. Register at (775) 832-1310
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MARCH 27
Full Moon Snowshoe – Area Venue
Tahoe Adventure Company offers a full moon snowshoe trek from 6:30 to 9:30 pm featuring professional guides, natural history discussions,, hot drins, trail snacks and searching for animal tracks. $65 includes gear. Reservations (530) 913-9212 or tahoeadventurecompany.com
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MARCH 31
Family Snowshoe Tours – Northstar at Tahoe
Grab the kids and join us for our Family Afternoon Snowshoe Tours taking place at Northstar California this winter season. These tours are a wonderful way to introduce your little ones to the great outdoors in a fun, unintimidating, friendly atmosphere. The tours are open to all ages and will be an easy snowshoe for the whole family.
Tours will begin at the Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center at 1:00 p.m. and will last approximately 3 hours. Your guide will lead you on a snowshoe adventure through some of our easier trails to a historic red caboose set in an alpine meadow for hot chocolate, cookies, and snow play!
For more information:
http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info/ski/family_snowshoe_tours.asp
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For more events in the area, visit The Weekly website (featuring North Lake Tahoe and Truckee):
http://theweeklymagazineonline.com/
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And don’t forget to check out the websites of the other ski areas in town. They often offer more events than just skiing!
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